Frank Gattuso, 74, passed away peacefully at home in Virginia Beach on June 15, 2026. Born on July 16, 1951, in Kimball, West Virginia, Frank was the son of Samuel Gattuso and Bonnie Belcher Gattuso.
Raised in a proud Italian family, Frank carried with him throughout his life the values of hard work, loyalty, generosity, and devotion to family. After going to college for a couple of years, he had a variety of jobs before serving in the US Army. He then worked in the coal industry of West Virginia at a coal preparation plant. Frank proudly served in the United States Army for two years and continued his military service for an additional two years with the National Guard.
A life-changing automobile accident brought Frank to Charlottesville, Virginia for treatment at the spinal cord rehabilitation center at UVA Hospital. It was there that he met a rehabilitation nurse named Teresa. Their chance meeting blossomed into a lifelong love story, and the two were married for 47 wonderful years.
Although Frank faced tremendous challenges after a spinal cord injury left him paralyzed from the waist down when he was only 27, he refused to let it define him or limit the life he wanted to live. Through determination, resilience, and remarkable upper body strength, he maintained his independence and continued pursuing the activities he loved. Whether maneuvering a wheelchair when needed or finding creative ways to get from the dock into his boat, often with an agility that amazed those around him, Frank approached every obstacle with confidence and perseverance. His refusal to be held back served as an inspiration to family, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Frank was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman. While living in West Virginia, he enjoyed freshwater fishing in the mountain streams and lakes he loved. After moving to Hampton Roads, he embraced saltwater fishing, spending countless hours aboard his boat in the Chesapeake Bay, particularly around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Some of his happiest moments were spent on the water with family, friends, neighbors, and children. When youngsters joined him aboard, Frank made sure to take them where the croakers were plentiful so they could catch and release fish again and again, keeping their excitement alive and creating memories that would last a lifetime.
Frank was known for his kindness, patience, and generosity. He never hesitated to share his love of fishing with others, especially his nieces, nephews, neighbors, and their children. He also dedicated time to public service as a member of the Mayor’s Committee for the Handicapped, advocating for others and helping improve his community and he also did volunteer work at the spinal chord unit at the VA Medical Center in Hampton, Virginia.
An early advocate for environmental responsibility, Frank was passionate about recycling and conservation. Family members fondly remember his insistence that every recyclable item be properly cleaned before being placed in the recycling bin. He believed strongly in reducing waste, using environmentally conscious products, and caring for the world around him. Those values ultimately led him to choose natural burial as his final resting preference.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents and several cherished lifelong friends from his school years . He was also preceded in death by his beloved canine companion, Shag, a Shih Tzu Poodle who famously howled and sang and had originally found Frank at a local marina.
He leaves behind his devoted wife, Teresa Gattuso; his son, Joseph Anthony Gattuso; his brothers, Ernie Gattuso and Johnny Gattuso; his sister, Jeannie Gattuso; his sister-in-law, Vickie, and her husband, Carl Wiggs; his nephews and nieces, Sammy, Frankie, Gabrielle, Carissa, Tyler, Carly and her husband, Chuck Johnson, and Brandon and his wife, Tracey Wiggs; along with many beloved cousins, extended family members, neighbors, and friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him.
The family plans to have a Celebration of Life at their home on June 27, 2026 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm
